When hiring remote employees, it’s just as important to hold an onboarding meeting as it is in a physical office. This meeting sets the stage for discussing key topics like company goals, expectations, tasks, compensation, and culture with your new virtual assistants right from day one. By doing this, you can clear up any potential confusion and align expectations from the outset.
At Outsource School, we use a unique onboarding process known as the SICC Method. SICC stands for Schedule, Internet and Power Issues, Communication, and Culture. Every time we bring a new hire on board, we guide them through this process to ensure they have the tools and understanding needed to succeed.
You might wonder, “Why go through an extensive onboarding meeting when you could just provide documents for new hires to study?”
In this article, we’ll explore five compelling reasons why a team and culture onboarding meeting is essential for your virtual assistant hiring process.
Once you grasp these reasons, you’ll likely see the value in adding this to your onboarding routine.
Let’s dive in!
1. A Proper Introduction to the Team
An onboarding meeting is the best way to introduce new hires to your team, especially when all or most team members are present. Take time to introduce each person by name and briefly explain their roles. This gives the new hire a clear picture of who to approach for help with specific tasks.
Additionally, they’ll gain an understanding of the company’s organizational structure, so they know who to report to when issues arise. This clarity minimizes confusion and helps them settle in more quickly.
2. Connecting New Hires to the Company’s Mission and Vision
A company’s mission and vision are crucial to its success, as they provide a framework for decision-making. Your mission serves as a practical guide, while your vision aligns decisions with the company’s long-term goals.
During an onboarding meeting, you have the chance to introduce these foundational elements. By ensuring new hires understand and connect with your mission and vision, you help align their personal goals with those of the company. This fosters a sense of purpose and direction from the start.
3. Reinforcing Company Values
In addition to the mission and vision, your company’s values should be discussed during the onboarding meeting. These values represent what your organization stands for and believes in, providing new hires with a moral and professional compass.
When employees are clear on these values, they’re better equipped to make decisions that benefit both their careers and your business. This alignment with core values sets the tone for a strong professional relationship as they grow within the company.
4. Making New Hires Feel Valued and Heard
Even though your virtual assistants are new, it’s important they feel as valued as tenured team members. The welcome they receive during the onboarding meeting, along with the sincerity of your team, can make a lasting impact and help them feel excited to start working.
Initial enthusiasm can fade quickly, so it’s your responsibility to maintain motivation. One of the best ways to do this is by ensuring new hires feel valued, heard, and integral to your organization right from the beginning.
5. Providing Insight into the Company Culture
Every company has a unique culture and working environment. Some are more formal and task-focused, while others foster strong employee relationships and embrace a relaxed atmosphere—this is often the case in virtual teams.
An onboarding meeting offers new hires a glimpse into your company’s culture, helping them understand what kind of environment they’re stepping into. Setting these expectations early on reduces potential culture shock and ensures they feel comfortable integrating into the team.
Holding a team and culture onboarding meeting with your new hires is a crucial step in setting them up for success. If you haven’t implemented this yet, I strongly encourage you to do so. Your organization will see significant benefits from this thoughtful introduction to the team and company culture.
